LONDON, April 30 -- China's Ding Junhui, two-time Cruble king Mark Williams and former world No. 1 Judd Trump all entered quarterfinals of the World Snooker Championship in Sheffield on Monday.
Ding, 31, crushed Anthony McGill 13-4 to reach the quarterfinal stage for the fourth year in a row.
The Chinese super star stormed to an 8-0 advantage in the first sesson. Scotland's McGill then fought hard Sunday night to share the frames. However, that left 2016 finalist Ding just one from victory and he secured the win in the opening frame Monday afternoon.
Ding, who will now face Barry Hawkins in the last eight, has been installed as the bookmakers' favourite to lift the title, with Betfred pricing him at 9/4.
Williams is through to his eighth Crucible quarterfinal after completing a 13-7 defeat of Robert Milkins.
The 43-year-old came into the decisive session with a 10-6 advantage and immediately added to that with a sublime century run of 101. Milkins did pull a frame back, but further breaks of 83 and 72 by Williams saw him through to the last eight.
The Welshman will now face Ali Carter, as he aims to reach the semifinals for the first time since 2011.
Williams said to worldsnooker.com: "I'm in the quarterfinals and there's only three more matches to go, anyone can win it. I'm just looking forward to playing now. If I can carry on playing the way I finished off tonight I'll be much happier."
Trump defeated Ricky Walden 13-9 with a superb display, having started play locked together with Walden at 8-8. He will next take on four-time winner John Higgins.
The other quarterfinal will be held between Mark Allen and Kyren Wilson.